Improvement in sewing-machine treadles



CHARLES A. FQSTER.

improvement in Sewing Machine Treadles.

10,123,775, Patented Feb..20,1872.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

OHARLES'A. FOSTER, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

I Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,775, datedFebruary 20, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. Fosrnn, of the city and county ofProvidence, in the State of Rhode Island, have made certain new anduseful Improvements in FSewing-Machines, and I do hereby declare thatthe following specification, taken in connection with the drawing makinga part of the same, is afull, clear, and exact description thereof.

Figure 1 is a top view of treadle, horizontal section on line 1) c. Fig.2 is a cross-section of machine on linezv c. Fig. 3 is a view of thejoint of treadle.

My invention relates to the construction, arrangement, and operation ofthe treadle of a sewing-machine, and the manner of attaching it to thepitman; and consists in the improvements hereinafter described.

In the drawing, A, Figs. 1 and 2, is the treadle, which extends nearlythe whole length of the machine, and is attached to and works uponfulcrums B B, in the manner hereinafter described. 0 is a heel-rest,which rests upon the floor, or maybe secured at such an angle as suitsthe operator, and is likewise attached to the said fulcrum B B by meansof suitable arms. I attach the treadle to the fulcrums B B by means ofthe arms D D,the ends of which are. so shaped as to clasp said fulcrums,and are securely held in that position by the spiral springs E E, asshown in Fig. 3.

The operation of my invention is as follows: Place the feet, the heelsupon the rest'O, which is provided with a ridge, F, which prevents theirslipping back, and the forward part of the feet upon the treadle A. Thisposition of the feet is both easy. and natural. The treadle being muchnearer the floor than those in the machines now in use avoids thatcramping of the limbs which operators usually experience.

To start the machine, press upon the treadle with the forward part ofthe foot, overcoming the resistance of the spiral springs, which havethe effect to keep the treadle in contact with the feet at all times,thus rendering unnecessary the usual toe-strap, the entire movement ofthe treadle being completed with ease without raising the heel from therest.

In my device I greatly reduce the friction usual in all sewing-machines.The arms D D bearing only upon the under side of the fulcrums B B, thepressure and weight of the feet upon the treadle, instead of increasingthe friction, as in other machines, diminishes it. It being oftendesirable to raise or lower the treadle to suit different operators andadjust the machine, I attach the pitman to a rod, 9, which is attachedto the treadle by means of a screw, so that by removing the pitman therod 9 may be lengthened or shortened by turning it, and the pitmanreplaced.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The spring-joint, composed of the spring E and fulcrum B, incombination with the treadle A and rest G, the whole constructed andoperating in the manner substantially as described, for the purposesspecified.

2. The springs E E, in combination with the treadle A and fulcrums B B,for the purpose of keeping said treadle in contact with the feet,substantially as described.

CHAS. A. FOSTER.

Witnesses:

WALTER B. VINCENT, JOHN D. W. TAYLOR.

